Minimum Sentencing in Firearms Cases - Avoiding a Minimum Term

Introduction

Following several high-profile cases, sentencing in firearms cases was tightened up significantly with the introduction of minimum terms. Since then, there has been a proliferation of guidance from the Court of Appeal on when it is appropriate for a court to depart from the minimum sentencing provisions. Mental health, pregnancy and duress are reasons frequently cited to persuade a court to temper justice with mercy.

Often, practitioners will have little chance to prepare such cases and will need to have the law and relevant caselaw at their fingertips to enable them to be of real assistance to the sentencing judge.

This webinar is designed to give you a practical working knowledge of issues such as credit for guilty pleas and caselaw to support submissions enabling the court to reach the appropriate sentence.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• Minimum sentencing provisions and age - what are the relevant terms?
• Credit for guilty pleas - can the minimum term be reduced to reflect credit?
• Caselaw and circumstances resulting in the minimum term being lowered
• Caselaw and circumstances allowing a custodial sentence not to be passed
• Advising clients on arguments that are commonly rejected - managing expectations around sentence

This pre-recorded webinar will be streamed at 12:30pm on Monday 5th August 2024 and will remain available to view by delegates who have registered by then for 90 days.